The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plans to utilize a Navy base near Chicago for immigration enforcement activities. An internal memo from DHS indicates that the agency has requested the Department of Defense to allow the use of Naval Station Great Lakes as a staging area for upcoming operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

According to the memo, DHS is seeking to accommodate approximately 250 federal agents and 140 vehicles at the base, which is located about 50 miles north of Chicago on Lake Michigan. The memo describes the naval station as the largest military base in Illinois and the Navy's primary training facility. It will serve as a command post and tactical operations center for the planned immigration roundups targeting individuals suspected of being in the U.S. illegally.

The request for assistance was made last week, and personnel and equipment from DHS began arriving at the naval station earlier this week. The memo outlines the need for storage of medical supplies and less lethal munitions, citing the base's infrastructure and proximity to major highways as advantageous for the operations.

The internal memo suggests that the immigration crackdown could last for up to 30 days. While specific locations for the enforcement actions in Chicago have not been disclosed, the operations are expected to be led by agents from ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Earlier this year, CBP was involved in similar immigration enforcement actions in Southern California, which sparked significant protests.

DHS has stated its commitment to pursuing individuals who are in the country illegally, emphasizing that "nowhere is a safe haven for criminal illegal aliens." The department's statement reflects a broader strategy under the Trump administration to intensify immigration enforcement across various U.S. cities, including Chicago and Boston.

Historically, the military's role in immigration enforcement has been limited, with both Democratic and Republican administrations deploying troops to the U.S.-Mexico border to support Border Patrol agents. However, the current administration has expanded the military's involvement in immigration enforcement, deploying thousands of troops to assist with mass deportation efforts and converting military installations into detention facilities.

In recent months, the administration has faced legal challenges regarding the deployment of National Guard units for immigration operations, including a ruling that deemed the deployment in California illegal. As the situation develops, the use of Naval Station Great Lakes for immigration operations marks a significant shift in the approach to immigration enforcement in the Chicago area.